ARLINGTON, Va.-- The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has awarded the state of Oregon a grant totaling $99,455 for training, education and other mine safety and health activities. Oregon has approximately 265 active mines and 1,939 miners.

The amount is part of an overall grant of nearly $7.8 million being made this year to 48 states and the Navajo Nation.

"Education and training are among the primary tools available to help us achieve the healthiest and safest mines possible," said Dave D. Lauriski, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "In fact, they comprise one of the key elements - along with enforcement and technical assistance - that make up MSHA's Triangle of Success. These are the tools that the law provides us to influence safety and health in the mining industry.

"This grant will enable the state of Oregon to work toward a goal that we all share - ensuring that every miner returns home safely at the end of every working shift," Lauriski added.

States participating in the grant program provide a variety of instruction - from entry-level training for those who are starting in the mining industry to annual refresher classes and instructor courses for those who will be training other miners. Many of those courses meet the requirements under federal training standards. Other training covers responding to medical emergencies at remote mining sites, noise abatement, mine rescue, water hazards rescue and certifications for various jobs ranging from electrician to hoisting engineer.